Josephine Mary Schmidt

A Place of Refuge for the Soul

Archives for June 2021

At Jesus’ Word

Bible Open showing John 4:50

“The man took Jesus at his word,” John 4:50. 

There were plenty of signs and wonders Jesus was exercising around this Father who had asked Jesus to come to his home to heal his son.

“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe,” John 4:48.

So often, we need to open our eyes and see what God is doing around us. We should take God at His word and not be forcing Him into doing miracles for us. And we shouldn’t seek them to strengthen our faith.

What has Jesus done in our lives – remember. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” John 20:29.

This royal officer, after Jesus’ words to him about seeking signs and wonders, still begged. “Sir, come down before my child dies,” John 4:49. He called the Messiah, Sir. His faith not yet rooted in understanding Jesus as the Messiah and image of God in the flesh, come to redeem.

“Go,” Jesus replied, “Your son will live,” John 4:50.

Later, we read through this interaction with Christ that this man believed, he and his whole household. (John 4:53). “He took Jesus at His Word” – no longer begged and believed. This action is faith. He took God at His Word and acted accordingly. This man didn’t badger Christ anymore but departed in faith, and the miracle occurred at the exact time that he did!

A Bible Open to John 4:50

I fear today, so many are not taking Jesus at His word but rather seeking miracles, the spectacular, the show, the marvel. Faith is quiet, it believes in God’s Word, and it expects what Jesus promises. I encouraged you today, remember the promises of God, and through them, you will partake in the divine nature of God. Isn’t that what it’s all about, our transformation, not the spectacular. It’s so often a trap.

Signs and wonders occur so that we will believe, but after we have believed, we shouldn’t be seeking their glory but Christ’s.

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

2 Peter 1:4

I took Jesus at His word, and it’s how I escaped demon possession and much trickery set against me. It was an impossible escape, accept by faith in Christ, I won. Today, it’s still the way I live, by trusting in Jesus and putting all my weight and faith on His Word. I had many miracles that Jesus used to help me understand and believe in the gospel. But it was through faith that they occurred and not by me seeking them.

Josephine Mary Schmidt – About Page

Before this Father’s encounter with Jesus, the event that took place before – was of a woman meeting Jesus at a commonplace, a well. (John 4:1-42). There were no miracles. Yet, this lady believed Jesus’ words spoken to her as a prophet, and then finally as the Messiah. Her belief came from her encounter with the Truth. Jesus’ words cut deep into her heart, and He saw all that she was as a person. (“A Soul’s Worth,” the title song from A Soul’s Worth album.)

Jesus wants to have an intimate and personal relationship with us. It’s based not on miracles but trust and the truth and abiding.

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Not by Strength or Power – but in Christ’s Humility and Victory

Framed Philippians 4 verse 13 to show I value this verse
I have Philippians 4:13 displayed in my home to remind me of my friendship with Jesus Christ.

Before Jesus died on the cross, He told Peter that he would deny Him three times. (Luke 22:33-34.) Peter showed courage. He was determined to follow Jesus and had told Him, “I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” But we, on our own, can’t overcome the darkness, persecution, hate, anger, resentment. These come from the powers of the wicked one—Satan’s Kingdom and his ruling spirits of the air. Jesus defeated them on the cross, made a public spectacle of them, the Bible says in Colossians 2:15.

It is through our faith and trust in Jesus that we can overcome. 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

1 Peter 5:6-9

There are many that yell and scream, demand that the powers of darkness retreat. But it is in the humility of Christ, our knowledge of Him, our love and adoration, our friendship, and, as the armor of God begins – first, “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).

Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

Zechariah 4:6

We will cast our crowns before Jesus in heaven because we know this is true and that the overcoming power not to deny Him in this world came from His Spirit of courage, love, and sound mind.

I absolutely love all of this because my physical strength is becoming smaller as I age. But in Christ, I am as strong as an ox! I am an overcomer. “All who call on the Lord will be saved!” (Romans 10:13).

In our strength, we can’t do the will of God. Peter denied Jesus three times before He died. Peter was yet to receive the Holy Spirit and the victory. But today, in Christ, we can do all things.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” 

Philippians 4:13

How about you today? What is Jesus asking of you, that you know you don’t have the courage, the longevity, or strength within you to do. Ask Jesus, and accept His strong hand and friendship today, and walk in the power of what He’s done for us! Amen!

The Pottery Mobile Left on a Shelf

Pottery Mobile with words of God's attributes

This pottery mobile that I made, was sitting on a shelf in my pottery shed for ages. It was something, I believed, the Lord Jesus had given me the vision to make and the words to use: – “God extends these – friendship, mercy, strength, love, forgiveness, courage, blessings, truth, grace, empowerment.”

But one day, I knocked it off, and some of the pieces broke. I was so disappointed. I had meant to put it together, but other things took my time. Now it was broken.

Broken pieces of pottery mobile

I remade the pieces that broke, and in doing so, realized that I hadn’t made it correctly. For some of the parts, I needed to put a second hole. But it still, after I had finished, sat in my pottery shed. I never finished it, never strung it together until I read – Luke 19:25, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” 

These words are from a parable Jesus is teaching His disciples. Before my pottery mobile had popped back into my mind, I recalled these lyrics, “It won’t be long, my child…. and you’ll see my eyes of love” – “Rise with Me,” album, A Soul’s Worth. 

Jesus doesn’t want me missing out on any of His blessings. The parable in Luke 19 tells how a king rewards his servant and says to him, “Well done, my good servant!” his master replied. “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.”

The day I read these words, I strung my pottery mobile together and hung it outside, in my courtyard. One of the reasons I hadn’t done it before was that I had given myself an elaborate plan to finish it. I wanted to put it out the front of the house as an evangelism thing so others might see it and know the love of God. But I needed to erect a lattice structure to hang my mobile. And I wanted to get some wire to string it together that couldn’t be cut to stop someone from stealing it. These weren’t the plans God had put in my heart, and they added to not getting the job done.

Maybe this mobile is to strengthen my faith in Christ by remembering these incredible attributes that God desires to extend to me? But this lesson has taught me a whole lot more. And it comes at a time when Jesus is asking me to complete a whole lot of things.

I’m glad my pottery mobile is finished and hanging outside my door. But when I put it together, initially, I wasn’t satisfied. I had hoped it would look better. Then I remembered the promise in God’s word that the eyes are never satisfied. I am creative. And so often, my vision doesn’t come out to the glory I hoped. But I know, in faithfulness and truth, God will do infinitely more than I can ever think or imagine with the things I faithfully do for Him. 

God isn’t condemning; He’s encouraging. Now I can look at these words on my mobile every day and be encouraged. 

God extends these – friendship, mercy, strength, love, forgiveness, courage, blessings, truth, grace, empowerment.

I hope this is an encouragement to you today. God bless you!

“Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes: – Proverbs 27:10.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” – Ephesians 3:20.

Rise With Me – Album, A Soul’s Worth
Albums

A light has dawned, have you seen it?

the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16)

This whole world lives under the shadow of death, but Jesus is calling each one of us to step out and embrace Him, the light that appeared like the dawn.

Dawn is the beginning of a new day. And Jesus promises that we will become new when we believe and put our faith in Him. “You believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1). Jesus, the Son of God who came down from the Father of all lights to give life, eternal, everlasting life to all who will believe, pick up their cross and follow Him.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24 NLT).

Powerful words to be remembered
Jesus spoke these words to me one day when I was struggling with discouragement.

What does pick up your cross mean? I prayed about understanding a while back. Jesus came to the cross sinless. We are to take up this same cross, be dead to sin’s ways, leave our old, sinful lives behind and follow His. Sin must no longer reign over us. Jesus is to take this role and place. Freedom is in Jesus, who defeated the powers of death and everything associated with sin – the devil, trickery, obstinance. Obstinance is a characteristic of being impossibly stubborn. We will walk on the other victory side of the cross with Jesus – risen and glorified – that power can be ours today if we believe and have faith in Him.

How do we have faith? Believe that His Words spoken are truth and put them in action. Don’t be like a blind person who hears but then walks away because they can’t see.

The words in the photo Jesus spoke to me on a day when I was discouraged. He reminded me He is the power of life, light, and the way I should follow – not looking to myself, but to the light that appeared out of the darkness like the dawn. Every day is a new day with Jesus when we trust Him and put our hope in His promises. Both will never fail. God says it’s His Word that will endure forever, and Jesus is alive forever-more! What better hope to put our trust! – Show the world that you’ve stepped out from that blanket of darkness and death and received life and the love of God through Christ. I hope that’s encouragement!

What do your thoughts hold?

A bible with a journal on top

Jesus knows our inner thoughts. He knows if they are healthy or destructive to us. We are to meditate on truth, feed on every Word of God. But you can’t do this if you don’t know the Word or the Spirit of Truth. 

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:16). We are all looking for peace in this world, a resting place. Jesus promises, from Him a peace comes, greater than any the world can offer. It dissolves worry and stress. And it’s in knowing Him that this true inner peace is given to us.

Who, or what are you seeking for rest, fulfillment, life, happiness? Is it’s from yourself or some hope from this world? If it is, then you will stay striving. But if you’re seeking to know Jesus and His life for you, then He will give you His peace and rest. It will follow. 

Have a Quiet Time every morning – pick up your Bible, invite Jesus into your heart and mind and life, and read it, begging for understanding. The light of the world came into the darkness to shine life. Jesus will be a friend mightier than any other. The Savior of the world longs to spend time with us and hold our lives together for eternity, far beyond any success this world can offer.

It truly is important to God, our thoughts, and what we are thinking. If our thoughts are healthy and strong and in the life of Christ, then our lives will reflect this strength and peace. We won’t be rushing about or worried about tomorrow. We will know who is holding our breath and beyond.

Read John Chapter Ten today and be amazed at what Jesus promises His children. Then stand on it. Read it for the next ten days and believe this passage, and I guarantee you will see changes like never, before in your life.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10&version=NIV

(Link to John Chapter 10)